First Symptoms of Rabies

Rabies is a virus transmitted by the bite of infected animals. It causes brain inflammation and is fatal to animals and humans unless treated immediately after the animal bite.

  1. Most Common Symptoms in Animals

    • The most common symptoms of rabies in animals are foaming of the mouth and aggressive and random behavior. Yet rabies generally takes on two forms: "dumb" or "furious."

    Dumb Rabies

    • In the "dumb" form of rabies, an animal will exhibit behavior best described as "depressed," and may also isolate himself; an animal that is typically active and aggressive may become fearful. His head may droop as part of a set of paralysis symptoms, including immobile hind legs, irregular expressions and a slack jaw.

    Furious Rabies

    • In cases of "furious" rabies, the animal may become overly aggressive, biting her own legs and attacking objects. These behaviors may alternate with signs of depression.

    Signs of Rabies in Humans

    • Symptoms of rabies infection in humans include tension, convulsions, drooling, extreme sensitivity at the site of the animal bite, excitability, fever of 102 degrees F or lower, restlessness, absence of muscle function and difficulty swallowing.

    Stages of Rabies Infection in Humans

    • In the prodromal phase, which lasts two to ten days, the patient may experience a fever, headaches, nausea, pain at the bite site and lethargy. In the acute neurological phase, which lasts two to seven days, the patient may become disoriented, hyperactive, weak and paralyzed.

    Prevention

    • The two phases are followed by a coma and, with rare exception, death. Rabies can be prevented in humans if the bite victim receives an immunization within two days of being bitten.